As the Dallas Cowboys front office beings the process of evaluating their roster in order to shore up positions they feel are either lacking talent or depth via free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft they are going to see glaring clear needs. The Cowboys have a few big names that are about to hit the market such as Tony Pollard, Dalton Schultz, Donovan Wilson, and Anthony Brown. That’s not the issue though, the Cowboys will try and work out deals with those players the real issue is they have 18 more free agents who were major contributors this season.
That’s a lot of production they’ll need to replace if they want to field another team with Super Bowl ambitions. They won’t have a ton of money in terms of the salary cap to make moves in free agency but owner Jerry Jones has floated ways to increase their cap space in order to have the ability to be players in the free agent market, which they will need to be if they want to contend next season. But first, the evaluation process must being and we are going to do our own evaluation of this roster in order to see what positions are most in need of an infusion of youth and or talent to help this team, so let’s get started.
Tier One Positions of Need for the Dallas Cowboys
Cornerback, Offensive Line, Wide Receiver
Wide Receiver
The wide receiver position is clearly a need for this team, CeeDee Lamb is the only receiver that really can threaten defenses. Michael Gallup is now going to be coming off another surgery on the opposite knee and ankle which should be a cause for concern for Dallas as he might be on the decline, then you have Noah Brown who played well this season and should get a nice contract somewhere else leaving them with Jalen Tolbert who showed them nothing this season and Dennis Houston who the team likes but needs to develop more. The Cowboys will have options in free agency and in the draft to find someone but this position will be at the top of their list.
Cornerback
The second most recognized position of need on this roster is one that has been a sore spot for Cowboys fans for a number of years, cornerback. If the Anthony Brown injury and less talked about Jourdan Lewis injury taught us anything it’s that the Cowboys’ depth at the position is seriously lacking. DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs were the bright spots on the outside. Nahshon Wright showed flashes but still needs work and Kelvin Joseph should not be on the roster next season.
Teams were able to locate and attack Wright and Joseph all game long, so now Dallas must adapt and look to build depth and the draft will be a good place to look along with cheap veteran help. Unless they bring Brown back in the offseason and if they do build through the draft.
Offensive Line
The Cowboys’ offensive line is getting older and is in need of young talent on the roster, especially with their starting left guard going into free agency again. The loss of Connor McGovern can’t be overlooked, his ability to play center, guard, and fullback really helped this team when players went down with injuries. They also have Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Tyler Biadasz are all going to be free agents over the next two years.
Tyler Smith and Terence Steele are nice building pieces for the future but the Cowboys need to find players on the interior of the offensive line that will be able to step in if another string of injuries strikes.
Cowboys LT Jason Peters injured on that incompletion. He walked to sideline under own power. Tyler Smith moves from LG to LT. Connor McGovern enters at LG.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) January 17, 2023